Lifestyle Changes to Manage a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

by Michael Jubinville, MPH

En Español (Spanish Version)

If you have a UTI, you can help yourself get better by:

Drinking plenty of water—Aim to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. This will help flush the bacteria and antibiotics out of the urinary tract.
Going to the bathroom when you need to—If you feel the urge to pass urine, do so as soon as you can. Holding back may cause bacteria to grow.
Passing urine and drinking a full glass of water after having sex.
Washing your genitals daily.
Wiping from front to back after a bowel movement (women).
Not using douches and feminine sprays (women).

REFERENCES:

Bacterial urinary tract infections (UTIs). Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/genitourinary-disorders/urinary-tract-infections-utis/bacterial-urinary-tract-infections-utis. Updated June 2018. Accessed September 20, 2018.

Eating, diet, & nutrition. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-infection-uti-in-adults/eating-diet-nutrition. Updated March 2017. Accessed September 20, 2018.

Jepson RG, Craig JC. Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008;(1):CD001321.

Treatment. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-infection-uti-in-adults/treatment. Updated March 2017. Accessed September 20, 2018.

Uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) (pyelonephritis and cystitis). EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T116894/Uncomplicated-urinary-tract-infection-UTI-pyelonephritis-and-cystitis. Updated June 4, 2018. Accessed September 20, 2018.

Urinary tract infections in adults. Urology Care Foundation website. Available at: https://www.urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/urinary-tract-infections-in-adults. Accessed September 20, 2018.

Last reviewed September 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Adrienne Carmack, MD
Last Updated: 9/20/2018

EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebsco.com. Our Health Library Support team will respond to your email request within 2 business days.